prostrate
UK[ˈprɒstreɪt]US[ˈprɑːstreɪt]
adj
lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downward, especially as a sign of submission, worship, or physical exhaustion.
v
to cast oneself face down on the ground in a gesture of submission or worship.
v
to make someone helpless or exhausted, especially by illness or distress.
Morpheme Breakdown
pro
strate
pro
forward
strate
spread out
Etymology
the word 'prostrate' originates from the latin 'prostratus', the past participle of 'prosternere', meaning "to throw forward or flat." this verb is a compound of 'pro-' (forward, down) and 'sternere' (to spread, lay low). the root 'sternere' itself descends from the proto-indo-european root sterh₃-, meaning "to spread out" or "to extend." the literal sense of throwing oneself forward onto the ground evolved from a physical act into a metaphor for complete submission, defeat, or being laid low by overwhelming force or emotion. thus, the modern meanings encompass both the physical posture of lying flat and the abstract state of being utterly overcome.
Analysis
Structure: pro (forward) + strate (spread out)
pro- (latin prefix, meaning "forward" or "downward"); -strate (from latin verb 'sternere', meaning "to spread out" or "to lay low").
Examples
the pilgrims lay prostrate before the altar in prayer.
a severe bout of flu had left him prostrate for over a week.
the dictator's aim was to prostrate the spirit of the opposition.